Recent chilly nights mean the heating season is upon us. And fluctuating oil prices have prompted lots of us to take another look at wood for heat.

The warmth and glow of a wood fire can cheer us on the darkest winter day. Following some basic precautions should help keep your home safe while you put that wood stove through its paces.

If you’re burning wood for the first time, make sure you start right. Have your stove installed by a qualified person. A proper installation requires knowledge of clearances, connections and use of fireproof materials where needed. Cutting corners to save a few dollars could be expensive, if that wood fire gets out of control and damages your home.

Your local fire department is your best source of information about codes and safety practices. Fire officials conduct regular education programs to help you stay safe; they’d much rather teach safety and conduct inspections than sift through rubble left by fire that resulted from a poor wood stove installation.

With higher-than-expected demand for firewood right now, some dealers find they’re in short supply of dry wood. Some have expressed concern that people are asking to buy “green,” or unseasoned, wood, the fear being that they’ll burn that wood before it’s dry enough to be burned safely.

As growing plants, trees contain a lot of water. Water generally makes up about half the weight of a willow tree, while the makeup of a red oak is about one-third water. The Maine Forest Service defines seasoned firewood as between 20 percent and 36 percent water, and dry firewood as no more than 20 percent water.

If wood isn’t dry – or at least seasoned – it will release gases containing unburned carbon. When those warm gases hit the relatively cool flue, they condense and form creosote. When enough creosote builds up, it can start a chimney fire that burns furiously and can spread quickly.

Regular cleanings and care of the chimney lining are critical to burning wood safely. Burning only dry or seasoned wood will help keep creosote in check.

People may also turn to alternative heat sources in times of emergency, when a regular heating unit may not be functioning or a fuel source is unavailable. University of Maine Cooperative Extension officials have several pieces of advice:

Never burn anything larger than a candle without adequate ventilation.

? Don’t use a gas or electric range or its top burners for heat. A gas stove may either go out or burn poorly and could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Electric stoves aren’t designed for space heating.

? Never use barbecue materials indoors, even in a fireplace.

? Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and that batteries are fresh. Keep firefighting equipment handy.

The National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) has several safety tips and fact sheets worth noting. Put safety first this heating season.

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